Prostate Cancer Detected in 21% of Men with PSA Between 2.0 and 3.9 ng/mL

[Guest guest]

In a population of men undergoing prostate cancer screening in Austria, prostate cancer was detected in 21% of men with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level between 2.0 and 3.9 ng/mL and 30% of men with PSA between 4.0 and 10.0 ng/mL. In men with PSA levels between 2.0 and 10.0 ng/mL, 37% of detected prostate cancers occurred in men with PSA less than 4.0 ng/mL. These results were published in the journal Urology.

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Because the frequency of prostate cancer in men with a PSA level of less than 4.0 ng/mL has not been well described, researchers evaluated information from a prostate cancer screening program in Austria. They collected information from about 3446 men with a PSA level between 2.0 and 10.0 ng/mL. All men had prostate biopsies after PSA testing. The cancer detection rate in men with PSA between 2.0 and 3.9 ng/mL was compared to the cancer detection rate in men with PSA between 4.0 and 10.0 ng/mL.

Prostate cancer was detected by biopsy in 21% of the men with PSA between 2.0 and 3.9 ng/mL and in 30% of men with PSA between 4.0 and 10.0 ng/mL.

37% of the prostate cancers detected in this population occurred in men with PSA between 2.0 and 3.9 ng/mL.

A Gleason score of 7 or higher (indicating faster-growing cancer) was reported for 24% of the men with prostate cancer and low PSA and 33% of the men with prostate cancer and higher PSA.

Compared to men with prostate cancer and higher PSA, men with prostate cancer and lower PSA tended to be younger and to have smaller prostate volume.

The researchers conclude that prostate cancer is not uncommon in men with PSA values less than 4.0 ng/mL. Men with prostate cancer and low PSA tend to be younger and to have a smaller prostate volume. These men are likely to be good candidates for potentially curative treatments such as surgery or radiation therapy.

Reference: Pelzer AE, Tewari A, Bektic J et al. Detection Rates and Biologic Significance of Prostate Cancer with PSA less than 4.0 ng/mL: Observation and Clinical Implications from Tyrol Screening Project. Urology . 2005;66:1029-1033.

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Kathy Meade

Arlington Educational Consulting

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http://www.naspcc.org/

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So much has been said and sung of beautiful young girls, why don't somebody wake up to the beauty of old women?

Harriet Beecher Stowe

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

.. These men

> are likely to be good candidates for potentially curative treatments

> such as surgery or radiation therapy.

>

my personal interpretation is: " these men are candidates for unnecessarily

early treatment that will significantly affect their quality of life (while

further enriching the medical industry) or, more reasonably, are candidates

for careful future monitoring.

i recall (although not clearly) the study of young men killed in the korean

war who showed significant signs of advanced atheriosclerosis. but their

surviving counterparts did not go home and have heart attacks soon

thereafter.

i try to not be too cynical about the medical industry in the u.s. however,

my " prostate seed implant " bill from the hospital ONLY, was $42,000 for a

half day out-patient procedure. it's too depressing to me personally to add

up all the associated costs for my " curative treatment. "

paul

[Guest guest]

I may be a little raw right now. I just lost a friend who was 57 to

PCa. That is way too young. When his cancer was diagnosed it was too

late for seeds or surgery. The cost to treat him probably ran close to

$500,000 per year. He would have been happy to have an option that cost

$42,000. He said often that by not screening and giving him the option

of early treatment he cost the system much more $.

Kathy

Re: Prostate Cancer Detected in 21% of

Men with PSA Between 2.0 and 3.9 ng/mL

----- Original Message -----

These men.

> are likely to be good candidates for potentially curative treatments

> such as surgery or radiation therapy.

>

my personal interpretation is: " these men are candidates for

unnecessarily early treatment that will significantly affect their

quality of life (while further enriching the medical industry) or, more

reasonably, are candidates for careful future monitoring.

i recall (although not clearly) the study of young men killed in the

korean war who showed significant signs of advanced atheriosclerosis.

but their surviving counterparts did not go home and have heart attacks

soon thereafter.

i try to not be too cynical about the medical industry in the u.s.

however, my " prostate seed implant " bill from the hospital ONLY, was

$42,000 for a half day out-patient procedure. it's too depressing to me

personally to add up all the associated costs for my " curative

treatment. "

paul